The new method of education and training has spread across the globe like a wild fire, scorching traditional learning methods in the process.eLearning, with its world of benefits and manifold opportunities, is completely changing the landscape of education as we know it. Learning management systems are becoming more and more advanced, and today, more and more academic courses and training courses are provided online. However, the immense impact of this technology is something that few of us could have imagined.

The Traditional Education System

You wrote a history exam in July of the 10th Grade. How much of what you studied for that exam can you remember?

We know that parrot fashion is a flawed system. We know that being forced to study something that doesn’t interest us in the least simply doesn’t stick. We know that factors such as anxiety, fatigue, pressure and time constraints in classroom and exam situations are all elements that can, and do, affect our performance. We might even get marked down because an examiner cannot decipher our hand writing.

“The old model is based on pushing students together in age-group batches with one-pace-fits-all curricula and hoping they pick up something along the way” - Khan, Salman.

There is so much that simply does not work when it comes to traditional methods of education.

New Medium, New Method

eLearning is not only a new medium, but a new method of learning.

I don't mean to say that eLearning will be the great remedy to all the problems posed by traditional education systems. However, I am suggesting that it is a new way to approach education, a method that might be a feasible option for thousands of individuals.

“How do people actually learn? Does the standard classroom model— broadcast lectures in school, solitary homework in the evening— still make sense in a digital age?” - Khan, Salman.

eLearning Explained

The main characteristics of eLearning:

• It is accessible
• It is portable
• It is customisable
• It is personal

eLearning is not machines that teach. It does not eliminate the teacher from the process. The role of the teacher is still very important, if not more important than in a traditional classroom situation. First exposures to concepts are provided online via video, reading material, exercises and quizzes. In this way, students are motivated to make sense of various concepts in their own way and in their own time. When the time comes to interact with a teacher regarding the concepts studied, that interaction is so much more valuable as they can be discussed, debated and variously applied. Gone is the approach of “I’m talking and you’re listening”. Through feedback software, individual students can be monitored. Tutors can offer advice and guidance in problem areas before a student even asks for help.

The World of MOOCs

MOOCs, namely Massive Open Online Courses, are not just online courses. A MOOC is open, usually free and available to all who wants to learn, provided an internet connection is supplied.

Like a regular course, a MOOC makes use of course materials, facilitators and tests. However, unlike the average course, learning is reimagined. Participants with similar interests are grouped together via a network, and what we call Social Learning, is then applied. Learning happens when learners interact with one another on digital discussion platforms similar to what you will find when joining a Facebook group. They would engage in the topics at hand and share their knowledge, experiences and opinions in a structured way. In social learning, the learner will shuffle between roles of student, teacher, peer, instructor, advisor, and even between grader and graded.

An extending branch of eLearning, namely Mobile Learning, makes the digital learning experience even more convenient and valuable. Through mobile phones and other mobile devices such as iPads, the world of digital information is literally in your pocket. Podcasts can be listened to while driving and visual information can be shared as photos and videos as they are captured. Mobile wireless technologies are making the MOOC even more accessible to even more people, and are exploring even more possibilities in regard to learning methods.

The MOOC promotes independence of learning and independence of thought. The Khan Academy and Coursera.org are two great institutions who offer MOOCs. Everybody Has the Right to Education: The Khan Academy and Coursera.org

We call this the Information Age, why then are millions of people being denied “information”? As Kahn states, the possibility of education for all is pending. Education offered digitally can reach anyone, anywhere.

The Kahn Academy, discovered in 2009, inspired all of those with a passion for learning. Kahn himself has stated that a great part of the success can be owed to the method – a digital school house; electronic learning.

Coursera.org is yet another organisation offering over 200 free courses online. Employing learning through videos, online assignments, quizzes, and student interaction platforms, over 1,800,000 students have benefited from this initiative.

“Take the World's Best Courses, online, for free.” – coursera.org

The Benefits of eLearning

The ‘Flipped Classroom’, a concept and teaching method established some years ago, employ the latter mentioned perspectives. Learning is flipped from the responsibility of the teacher to the learner. Learning resources are supplied in the form of online videos, podcasts, PowerPoint presentations and more. The teacher then fills a guiding role, helping students understand concepts that they already are knowledgeable on and thereby making classroom time so much more effective and valuable. No need for taking notes.

eLearning combats a great amount of the issues posed by the old method of schooling, some of them; clock pressure, peer pressure and scary teachers:

• The next set of problems and exercises would constitute a challenge that each person could approach at his or her own tempo;
• There would be no shame or stigma in progressing slowly,
• No dreaded moment when the class must move on.
• The archive of videos would never go away; students could review and refresh as often as necessary.
• And mistakes would be allowed!
• There’d be no fear of disappointing a teacher who is looking over one’s shoulder, of appearing dumb in front of a room ful of peers.

- Khan, Salman.

In summary, the benefits of learning digitally:

• Material is there to revisit at any time.
• Videos can be watched over and over until concepts are properly grasped.
• Missed class does not result in students falling behind and being unable to catch up.
• Class time or “face to face” time with teachers become more useful and valuable.
• Responsibility and discipline is encouraged – no more spoon feeding.
• Quick quizzes shows you your strong points and weak points - hence, where to focus more of your time and energy.
• Quick generated reports provide proper detailed feedback.
• Student platforms inspire greater student to student or scholar to scholar interaction.

Learning Technology

"When it comes to education, technology is not to be feared, but embraced." - Khan, Salman.

A part of what defines technological innovation is when ideas cut out expenses or lower costs. We have already entered the “print only if truly necessary” era – so why is the traditional textbook excused? Economically and environmentally better – online education is cheap to produce – and free education for all, a real possibility. eLearning is truly education reimagined.

Sound Idea Digital specialises in Learning Management Systems and eLearning developments | soundidealearningmanagement.co.za
Carla van Straten is a Writer for Sound Idea Digital | Carla@soundidea.co.za